If you’re reading this, you’re definitely bored out of your mind and looking for a smartwatch; and yes, we realize we previously covered various low-cost smartwatches in a previous piece. However, since it is the current year, you may be looking for something more than a low-cost device, which is why today’s article is about the greatest hybrid smartwatch money can buy. Don’t worry if you’re not sure what a hybrid smartwatch is; we’re here to explain: The key distinction between a conventional (as in “geeky”) smartwatch and a hybrid is that the latter has a classic-analog design, which means it looks like a regular (sometimes luxury) timepiece while still including some high-tech stuff behind the hood.
A hybrid smartwatch, in essence, may be worn anywhere by anyone (including fashion-conscious ladies), whether it’s a business meeting with Big Tech executives, on the golf course, or even at the pub with your pals (yes, those were the days). A hybrid smartwatch will look the part in any setting and will provide more than your “normal timepiece” experience, giving you the best of both worlds, assuming such a device exists.
So, the main benefit of purchasing a hybrid smartwatch is that you will maintain the classic wristwatch face/case design, as well as some extras, such as an extra dial (or even two) for “infotainment” purposes. In addition, unlike a traditional smartwatch, a hybrid should provide weeks or even months of autonomy.
List of Best Hybrid Smartwatch
Garmin vívomove 3
We’ll open the “best of” list with the Garmin vvomove 3, a pretentiously sounding hybrid smartwatch, but this Garmin wearable is a sophisticated piece of kit by any yardstick, and it also looks the part. That is, the vvomove 3 can easily pass the “smell test,” i.e. it looks and feels like a typical timepiece, allowing you to wear it anyplace without having to justify it too much. Simply said, this hybrid smartwatch does not scream “virgin nerd,” which may come in handy when it comes to picking up chicks and the like.
All joking aside, this Garmin watch does an excellent job of combining design and substance, and, most importantly, it will not set you back an arm and a leg. Striking the ideal balance between smartwatch functionality and awesome looks is not easy, but Garmin is an expert in this regard, and we must admit: the vvomove 3 looks absolutely fantastic, with a 42mm case weighing only 35 grams (feather-light) and boasting the classic analog hands as well as a hidden OLED screen.
The vvomove 3 comes with a nylon bracelet, and yes, Garmin could have done better; exploring the watch’s secret smart life is simple since you can either raise your wrist quickly or double-tap the screen. The OLED display performs admirably in everyday situations and is virtually unnoticeable until required. When turned on, the secondary display will show you a variety of valuable information, such as minutes of activity, stress levels, sleep monitoring, how many flights of stairs you climbed, total steps for the day, current heart rate, respiration rate, a digital clock (who would do that? ), and so on.
Don’t fear, female readers: the vvomove 3 is up to date with contemporary “woke culture,” since the wristwatch has a monthly cycle widget, hydration level, impending calendar events/appointments, and weather. A single touch button is used to navigate/cycle between the menus, and if you want extra functionality, you can always link the Garmin smartwatch to your smartphone through Bluetooth and receive smart notifications like messages and emails directly to your wrist.
Withings Steel HR Sport
Following that is the Withings Steel HR Sport hybrid, which was designed to be your best friend during workouts as an activity tracker. The smartwatch has a lovely circular shape and an impressive 25-day battery life, which is commendable for a hybrid. The Withings Steel HR Sport, on the other hand, has a variety of sport-specific features.
This smartwatch has a classical design, with an analog dial, a single crown on the edge, and a stainless steel shell with numbers etched and all that good stuff. There’s also a tiny inset display that shows everything from smartphone notifications to activity tracking and heart rate monitoring, because, yes, this bad boy comes with fitness and heart-rate tracker, as well as a Connected GPS feature (via your smartphone), smart notifications, and even water resistance.
The stainless steel shell is complemented with a silicon strap, giving it an industrial style and feel. Most importantly, the watch feels and looks tough, with a masculine design. The 40mm stainless steel case feels premium, and when compared to other smartwatches on the market, it’s clearly in a different league in terms of quality. But, since what’s behind the hood is vital in a hybrid, let’s look at the smart stuff: the little display lets you to toggle between a digital clock, date, and, most significantly, step count, heart rate, calories burnt, distance traveled, and battery life.
We realize it’s not much, but it’s practically everything you need to know from a good fitness tracker. To cycle between the features, hit the button on the right, which is a crown-like item that also spins. The watch supports 30 various workouts, like cycling, jogging, yoga, and volleyball (great touch), and it’s water-resistant, so you can use it in the pool. Smartphone alerts function nicely, and the watch is compatible with over 100 Android and iOS apps, including the venerable Health Mate app, which works flawlessly on both platforms.
Fossil Hybrid Smartwatch HR
Fossil is the king of fashion brands, and its Hybrid Smartwatch HR is proof of that, as it is one of the sexiest and loveliest devices on the market, with a magnificent E-ink display and a classic timepiece design, as well as some smart functions, all at a reasonable price. If you’re the type of person who falls in love at first sight, the Fossil Hybrid HR will fit you like a glove, since, contrary to what you’ve heard from total “n00bs,” looks are everything, and this baby looks like a million bucks from every angle. To put it simply for our readers, this Fossil watch manages to combine classic analog looks with a couple of smart capabilities, resulting in a really sexy “all-rounder” geared at average people (not geeks) searching for a fitness-centric smartwatch.
The 42 x 13mm stainless steel case is complemented by replaceable 22 mm straps and a 1.06-inch always-on “read-out” e-ink display (non-touchscreen obviously). However, at first inspection, the smartwatch appears to be completely analog, including a few analog watch components such as number markings and actual watch hands.
The display is the innovation here, as it uses the same technology as an Amazon Kindle reader, E-Ink, which has advantages and disadvantages. We personally adore E-Ink, particularly in this style of “analog-smart-watch” (we know, it sounds paradoxical).
One of the primary benefits of utilizing E-Ink displays is increased battery life, i.e. E-Ink is the diesel-engine of displays, and truth be told, this sort of screen merges wonderfully with the analog watch face, making it look far sleeker and more “business-like” than an OLED/AMOLED variety. The menus are navigated using three pushers on the right side, each of which can be configured to perform a specific purpose.
In terms of smartwatch capabilities, the Fossil Hybrid Smartwatch HR performs admirably, including smartphone notifications, Heart Rate, Activity & Sleep Tracking with in-depth wellness information, message previews, weather updates, and more, and it is compatible with both Android and iPhones. One of the key selling features of this Fossil beauty is its outstanding battery life, which delivers more than 14 days of autonomy on a single charge, so if you’re searching for a beautiful and quite unique hybrid smartwatch at an inexpensive price, you’ve just found your match.
Skagen Men’s Hybrid HR Jorn Smartwatch
Skagen is a premium timepiece from Denmark, a Nordic European country with a high IQ, and that’s exactly what this watch is: a premium timepiece that can be worn to a restaurant, so if you don’t like nerdy huge devices, this is the way to go. Essentially, the Skagen is a classy watch on the outside, but it conceals a slew of clever features beneath its minimalistic design, which most fashion-conscious people adore, not to mention the fact that it looks and feels like a high-quality timepiece, which it is.
The circular e-ink display in the centre is the only thing that reveals its high-tech underpinnings when examined closely. The rest of the watch, including the side buttons, is “analog” and constructed of metal. The back of the watch houses an excellent heart sensor, as well as smartphone notifications, activity tracking, and music management.
Connecting the Skagen to your Android smartphone or iPhone via a proprietary app unleashes the beast, allowing you to access detailed wellness stats, activity and sleep tracking, heart rate, receive and view smartphone notifications and alerts, see calendar and weather updates, control your music, and much more. Finally, the battery life is stated at two weeks on a single charge, which is outstanding, and the screen customization is superb.
Fossil Women’s Jacqueline
Last but not least, we have a lovely hybrid smartwatch from Fossil for our female readers. The Jacqueline is a beautifully designed hybrid that is compatible with Android and iOS smartphones, making it a superb ladies’ watch that appears like a classic timepiece while still offering a lot of smart functions to make your life easier.
The stainless steel case measures 36 mm in diameter, and the watch offers auto-update time/date, Bluetooth 4.1, fitness/activity tracking capabilities, remote control activation, and sleep monitoring; it’s also worth noting that there is no heart-rate sensor, so buyer beware.
The user interface/software is well-designed and intuitive, and the ecosystem is simple to use and works well with both iOS and Android, as Fossil placed an emphasis on simplicity and minimalism. Surprisingly, this Fossil hybrid smartwatch employs a replaceable/classic Lithium Battery Cr2025 that does not require charging and can last you up to 6 months, depending on how much you abuse the “notifications” feature (Bluetooth and all).
The main conclusion is that the Jacqueline should be high on your purchase list if you’re searching for a stunning hybrid that doesn’t look like a gadget/smartwatch at all. However, if you’re looking for a technological behemoth to manage your digital social life, seek elsewhere.
How to choose the best hybrid smartwatch
OS compatibility
Pay close attention to OS compatibility now, just as you would with smartwatches. Modern hybrids, on the other hand, are fully compatible with both Android and iOS, but you should still look into it.
Functionality
Another factor to consider is functionality, and here is where personal preference comes into play. If you want style and classic design first and foremost, you may not need fancy features like heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking/activity tracking technologies, and so on. If you’re looking for a “fitness friend,” fitness tracking tools (or the absence thereof) can be deal-breakers.
Water resistance
Since we’re talking about “wearable” technology, water resistance is an important attribute to look for in a smartwatch, especially if you enjoy snorkeling, swimming, and/or pool diving.
Battery life
Because hybrids lack touch screens like their smarter counterparts, battery life should not be a concern, but check it out just in case.
Budget
Finally, there’s the budget issue, because if money were no object, we’d all be driving Porsches and wearing Frederique Constant hybrid smartwatches; or, why not, golden Apple Watches. By the way, there are high-end hybrid smartwatches that cost more than a family car, so keep that in mind.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the best hybrid smartwatches on Amazon right after a brief commercial break.